This page contains only very short summaries of these questions and answers. There are some great information pages on the web if you want to read more:
These questions and answers are all based on the calendar used in Australia. You should realise that not all countries use the same calendar, definition of seasons, etc.
Why are there 12 months in a year?
There are 12 months in a year because there are (usually) 12 lunar cycles in a year - there used to be only 10 months, but Julius Caesar added them on the advice of his astronomers and called them July (for himself) and August (for his successor, Augustus).
Why are there 24 hours in a day?
The Ancient Egyptians divided the day into 12 sections and the night into another 12.
Why are hours divided into 60 minutes, and minutes into 60 seconds?
60 is easily divisible by many numbers, including 4,5, 6,10, 12, 20, 30.
The Royal Museums Greenwich has a great Time Fact Files page.
These questions and answers are all based on the calendar used in Australia. You should realise that not all countries use the same calendar, definition of seasons, etc.
Why are there 12 months in a year?
There are 12 months in a year because there are (usually) 12 lunar cycles in a year - there used to be only 10 months, but Julius Caesar added them on the advice of his astronomers and called them July (for himself) and August (for his successor, Augustus).
Why are there 24 hours in a day?
The Ancient Egyptians divided the day into 12 sections and the night into another 12.
Why are hours divided into 60 minutes, and minutes into 60 seconds?
60 is easily divisible by many numbers, including 4,5, 6,10, 12, 20, 30.
Reference: The Royal Museums Greenwich